Safe Shippers Support The Lummi Nation

Once again, the Lummi Nation has spoken an emphatic “NO” to the proposed Gateway Pacific coal terminal (GPT) at Cherry Point.

In a recent letter (link here) addressed to the Army Corp of Engineers, the tribe has asked that permits for the terminal be denied. Citing a current vessel traffic study (link here) which shows that the coal terminal and the associated shipping traffic would have a substantial impact on the tribe’s traditional fishing grounds, the Lummi have asked the Corps to “take immediate action and deny the permit application based…on the project’s adverse impact on the treaty rights of the Lummi Nation. The impacts on the Nation’s treaty rights associated with this project cannot be mitigated.”

In August 2013, over 200 Safe Shippers signed a Thank You to the Lummi Nation for its then stated unequivocal opposition to the proposed terminal. Let’s continue our show of support by sending the Lummi our notes of gratitude, and, more important, telling our representatives that we stand in agreement with the Lummi and others who are speaking out against this and other projects that would bring additional large ships and their inherent risks to our shared waters.

“An increase of 18 percent in large ships in the Salish Sea is anticipated by 2019 if additional major projects are approved affecting the Salish Sea. In addition to GPT, that would include the Kinder-Morgan oil pipeline to Vancouver, expansion of other Vancouver port facilities and a coal terminal south of the city, and expansion of oil-by-rail. GPT would be the biggest contributor to the increased traffic. Shipping would be heaviest in critical areas of the Salish Sea, particularly around the San Juan Islands where large ships use Rosario and Haro straits and interact with ferries and fishing vessels.” http://crosscut.com/2015/01/06/coal-ports/123476/lummi-nation-pacific-gateway-terminal-would-violat/

To show our support of the Lummi, we, too, need to speak up for the protection of the waters.

We can do so by sending letters and/or making phone calls to our representatives – in particular, to Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee. Our message is to ask the federal government to uphold the treaty rights of the Lummi and other First Nations of the Salish Sea by asking that the proposed GPT coal terminal project be denied.

To further broadcast your support for the Lummi, please consider sending a letter to the editors of our local and regional press. This is an issue of importance for all the inhabitants of the Salish Sea region.

A special evening celebrating the beauty and power of the 2014 Lummi Nation Totem Pole Journey through art, pictures and word. Hear from Lummi leaders on the recent demand that the federal government deny a permit for the Cherry Point coal export terminal as it would be a violation of their treaty rights.

When: Thursday, January 29, 6:00-8:00 pm

Where: Impact Hub Seattle, 220 2nd Avenue South, Seattle

What: Premier of the Totem Pole Journey video by Fred Lane, photo story of the journey by photographer James Leder, showcase of the 14 by 21 foot mural that was painted at stops along the journey, speakers from the Lummi Nation.

The economic impacts of a major oil spill in this region would far exceed the estimates made to date…. Ecology estimates that a major oil spill in the state would cost 165,000 jobs and $10.8 billion in annual economic activity. However, these figures are undervalued because, in addition to being two years outdated, this estimate does not include any costs associated with the impacts of oil spills to privately owned shoreline and water-view properties.